Ocala man charged with sale of 'bath salts'

Published: Monday, February 21, 2011 at 8:57 p.m.

Last Modified: Monday, February 21, 2011 at 8:57 p.m.

Marion County drug agents on Monday made the county’s first arrest for the sale of “bath salts” since the Florida attorney general issued an emergency ban on the synthetic drug.

Agents say Abdul Razzak-Kanjiani, 56, of Ocala, sold the product containing methylenedioxypyrovalerone, or MDPV, to an undercover agent with the Multi-Agency Drug Enforcement Team.

The arrest report identifies Razzak-Kanjiani as a store owner.

At about noon Monday in the Diamond Oil at 1952 NE 35th St. in Ocala, the undercover agent asked Razzak-Kanjiani for “bath salts,” according to the report. Razzak-Kanjiani left the counter and went into an office.

Agents say he returned with “bath salts,” told the undercover officer to put them in his pocket and then charged him $15 for them.

“During the transaction the defendant stated the item was ‘banned’ and ‘dangerous,’ ” according to the arrest report.

He was taken to the Marion County Jail and charged with sale of a controlled substance, a felony. Bail was set at $10,000.

Since late January, when Attorney General Pam Bondi issued an emergency order listing “bath salts” as a controlled substance, the Marion County Sheriff’s Office has visited many stores informing the owners of the new rule.

Bondi’s 90-day order makes it illegal to possess, sell or distribute the products containing MDPV, which have been sold under the names Vanilla Sky, Ivory Wave, Ocean Burst and Bolivian Bath.

Users snort them to get a high similar to that of methamphetamine or cocaine, and sometimes have ended up in hospitals with psychotic reactions and other health complications. Those include increased heart rate, nosebleeds, hallucinations, severe paranoia, seizures and kidney failure, according to the Attorney General’s Office.

“These are dangerous drugs that should not be confused with any type of common bath product,” Bondi said at the time in a prepared statement.

<p>Marion County drug agents on Monday made the county's first arrest for the sale of “bath salts” since the Florida attorney general issued an emergency ban on the synthetic drug.</p><p>Agents say Abdul Razzak-Kanjiani, 56, of Ocala, sold the product containing methylenedioxypyrovalerone, or MDPV, to an undercover agent with the Multi-Agency Drug Enforcement Team.</p><p>The arrest report identifies Razzak-Kanjiani as a store owner.</p><p>At about noon Monday in the Diamond Oil at 1952 NE 35th St. in Ocala, the undercover agent asked Razzak-Kanjiani for “bath salts,” according to the report. Razzak-Kanjiani left the counter and went into an office.</p><p>Agents say he returned with “bath salts,” told the undercover officer to put them in his pocket and then charged him $15 for them.</p><p>“During the transaction the defendant stated the item was 'banned' and 'dangerous,' ” according to the arrest report.</p><p>He was taken to the Marion County Jail and charged with sale of a controlled substance, a felony. Bail was set at $10,000.</p><p>Since late January, when Attorney General Pam Bondi issued an emergency order listing “bath salts” as a controlled substance, the Marion County Sheriff's Office has visited many stores informing the owners of the new rule.</p><p>Bondi's 90-day order makes it illegal to possess, sell or distribute the products containing MDPV, which have been sold under the names Vanilla Sky, Ivory Wave, Ocean Burst and Bolivian Bath.</p><p>Users snort them to get a high similar to that of methamphetamine or cocaine, and sometimes have ended up in hospitals with psychotic reactions and other health complications. Those include increased heart rate, nosebleeds, hallucinations, severe paranoia, seizures and kidney failure, according to the Attorney General's Office.</p><p>“These are dangerous drugs that should not be confused with any type of common bath product,” Bondi said at the time in a prepared statement.</p>